Olympic medallist Evans impresses in British Lionhearts win

08 February 2013 / 07:07

Olympic silver medallist Fred Evans helped inspire the British Lionhearts to a victory over Kazakhstan's unbeaten Astana Arlans in the World Series of Boxing.

European champion Evans was made to work in his middleweight contest with Miras Bairkhanov but inspired by a vocal home crowd at London's York Hall, the Welsh southpaw edged the fifth and final round to claim victory on a split decision.

The visitors started the evening with a light heavyweight victory, Hrvoje Sep defeating Lionhearts Swedish fighter Babacar Kamara, but the home team battled back with four straights wins, a boost in their bid to reach the play-offs.

World silver medallist Andrew Selby, who narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal last summer, claimed a unanimous win over Meirbolat Toitov in their bantamweight showdown.

And there were also wins for rising star lightweight Samuel Maxwell and 27-year old heavyweight Joe Joyce, who claimed the impressive scalp of reigning WSB champion Filip Hrgovic.

The win will certainly boost British Lionhearts confidence, who remain unbeaten at home, as they prepare for a road trip to the German Eagles later this month.